Batavia Around the Block: January & February

Jan 10, 2017 12:06PM
● Published by Neighbors Magazines

Fermilab celebrates 50th anniversary

Have
you been to Fermilab lately? The national accelerator laboratory is
holding several special events in 2017 to mark their 50th anniversary. On Sat.,
Jan. 21, the band Mucca Pazza will kick off the celebrations with a concert in
the Wilson Hall Atrium. For a complete list of the year’s events, watch Neighbors
or visit 50.fnal.gov.

Fermilab holds lecture on the
lab’s first 50 years

On
Fri., Jan 27 Dr. Chris Quigg will give a lecture at Fermilab’s Ramsey
Auditorium covering the laboratory’s first 50 years. A half-century ago, the
Enrico Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory began to grow on the Illinois
prairie. Through the intelligence, ingenuity and industry of many gifted
people, it grew into one of the world’s great research institutions—a truly
national resource for American physicists and a treasured destination for
legions of international colleagues. Dr. Quigg will trace the lab’s evolution
from start-up to world-leading center, highlighting landmark research results
while recalling iconic moments and extraordinary characters. The lecture starts
at 8pm and costs $7. 630-840-2787, events.fnal.gov

Join Fermilab for an afternoon of
science fun

The
Fermilab Family Open House is a party for children of all ages to learn about
the world of physics. Watch Mr. Freeze’s cryogenics show, explore physics
concepts with hands-on activities, ask a scientist your physics questions, take
a tour and more. This event takes place Sun., Feb. 12 from 1–5pm. The event and
tours are free. Registration is only needed for tours. For more information,
visit ed.fnal.gov.

Members
of the Zonta Club of St. Charles-Geneva-Batavia strive to empower women through
service and advocacy, raising funds to support local and global projects that
benefit women and families. Becoming a member of Zonta is a great opportunity
to meet wonderful people while getting involved in your community. zontawest-sgb.org,
zontaclub.sgb@outlook.com

The
Batavia Mothers’ Club Foundation’s 3rd Annual Bunco Charity Fundraiser will
take place Feb. 25 at the Batavia Moose Lodge, 1535 S. Batavia Ave. Come out
for a fun night of rolling dice for a great cause. This year’s theme is “I love
the 80s—Totally Rad Bunco.” There will also be a raffle, silent auction, heads
or tails game and more.

All
participants must be at least 21 years of age to attend. The doors will open at
6:30pm and the dice will roll at 7:15pm. A selection of appetizers, snacks and
desserts will be offered. A cash bar will also be available.

All
money raised from this event goes directly back to the community through the
schools or local organizations that focus on helping children and families. For
more information visit bataviamothersclub.org/events/bunco-charity-event,
email bunco@bataviamothersclub.org or call 630-748-1501.

Holy Cross Catholic School to hold
open house Jan. 29

Holy
Cross Catholic School, (Grades Preschool through 8th) will hold an open house
from 12:30–2pm on Sun., Jan. 29. Holy Cross provides academically challenging,
faith-based education to more than 400 students. Over 30% of the school’s
graduating 8th graders received scholarships this past year to schools such as
Marmion, Rosary, Aurora Central Catholic and Saint Francis.

Holy
Cross will also begin an all day Pre-K program for four-year old students in 2017.
The school currently has preschool programs serving ages 2–4. Holy Cross
preschool teachers have a combined experience of over 50 years working with
young students. Holy Cross is located at 2300 Main St., Batavia. holycrosscatholicschool.org

Photo courtesy Geneva Chamber of Commerce—Georgia Schwender

Take a tour of the Fabyan Japanese Garden in Winter.

Go on a guided winter walk at
Fabyan Japanese Garden

On
Sun., Jan. 29 and Sat., Feb. 11 from 1–2pm, join PPFV staff for a hearty,
approximately 40 minute guided tour of the Fabyan Japanese Garden. The tour
will start at 1pm at the western garden gate. The tour is $5 per person, with
no reservations needed. The garden is within the Fabyan Forest Preserve located
at 1925 S. Batavia Ave. in Geneva. Please note these tours can only happen if
there is a foot or more of snow on the ground and temperatures are not dangerous.
Proper winter boots and attire is encouraged. On the day of the tour please
call 630-377-6424 and listen to a message to ensure the tour is happening. ppfv.org

Free memory loss support group
for caregivers offered monthly at the Holmstad

The
Holmstad Helping Hearts, a free family and caregivers support group offered at
The Holmstad, is offered the first Thursday of the month from 1:30–2:30pm in
the Town Center classroom at The Holmstad, located at 700 W. Fabyan Parkway,
Batavia. Registration is not required to attend the support group, but you must
reserve a spot for your loved one requiring care by calling Brenda Lowden, RN,
at 630-879-4034 or emailing her at BJLowden@covenantretirement.org.

Community Resource Expo takes
place Feb. 4 at the Eastside Community Center

The
volunteer spirit runs deep in Batavia! Volunteers are a vital part of the
success of any organization and truly make a difference in the community. In
parks and recreation alone, more than a quarter of a million people nationwide
donate their time and expertise annually, saving agencies and taxpayers
millions of dollars.

Come
the Community Expo at the Eastside Community Center at 10am Sat., Feb. 4 and
learn about local opportunities to volunteer. Local organizations will be on
hand with information about volunteer opportunities. The Eastside Community
Center is located at 14 N. Van Buren St. 630-406-5282, bataviaparks.org

Fox Valley Robotics hosts events
for kids

Want
to take a break from the winter weather with something the whole family can do?
Fox Valley Robotics’ youngest LegoWolves members in 1st–3rd grade will be
heading over to Fermilab for this year’s open house “Creature Craze” displaying
their mechanical Lego Models on what they learned about honey bees and the
animals that share their habitat.

Fox
Valley Robotics/Batavia Robotics will host 36 high school teams on Sun., Feb.
12 from 10am–3pm as they compete on a 12'x12' playing field with four robots at
a time. This year’s event will be challenging as the teams will attempt to
shoot balls into a 4' high vortex, activate beacons based on color and raise a
21" diameter ball attempting to cap the vortex in this year’s game
“Velocity Vortex.” Jan., Feb., and March will have more events with different
age groups including the state Vex competition. foxvalleyrobotics.com, info@foxvalleyrobotics.com

Batavia United Way’s 2016 Adopt a
Family program a success

The
2016 Batavia United Way Adopt A Family Program proved to be the most extensive
to date with 93 families adopted and 234 children served. Counselors and social
workers from seven Batavia public schools selected families most in need of
holiday assistance and secured wish lists for each child in these families.
Clothing, winter coats, boots, trolls, makeup, scooters, books and video games
surfaced on many wish lists.

All
of the gifts were delivered to the very hospitable team of professionals at
Louise White Elementary School, host of this event.

Batavia
United Way and its Board of Directors thanks Batavia Women in Business, BYB,
Chip In , Batavia Mothers and Women’s Clubs and the many businesses,
individuals and families who together delivered a Christmas miracle to neighbors
in need. bataviaunitedway.org

Come to the 56th annual Cat Show
and Feline Expo

The
Championship and Household Pet Cat show is Feb. 26 & 27 at Kane county
Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Rd. This event features 225 cats competing for
“Best in Show”. An Education Ring presents speakers on topics of feline health.
There will also be numerous vendors and shelters with cats available for
adoption. For more Information and a $1 off coupon, visit lscats.org.